DIY | Watercolor Mug

Lately, I've felt like someone could come in and splash some watercolor patterns all over everything I own and I wouldn't mind it one bit. Unfortunately, in a few months, I'm sure I would be a bit annoyed with that decision. So I've been trying to come up with a few ways to add some faux watercolor splashes around my house. Last week, I was watching my cousin give herself a "watercolor" manicure and I thought, that would be a great technique to use on a mug! So I tried it… and it works!

How to make it:
-Fill the bowl with warm water.
-Add a drop of nail polish to the water and let it spread out. You can also use a skewer to swirl the color around a bit to give it the effect you'd like.
-Dip your mug in the water.
-You can use nail polish remover to remove any excess nail polish on the bottom and inside of the mug or sections that got messed up.
-Carefully pat mug dry with paper towel.
-You can repeat with additional colors if you want.
-Once you've achieved the look you want, let it sit for at least two hours.

I would recommend hand washing these mugs. (Although I haven't tried mine in the dishwasher yet!) Durability will also depend on quality of the nail polish a bit - just as it would on your nails. I let mine sit for about 5 hours then scrubbed them and they were fine. If you run into problems, try coating the outside with a clear coat of nail polish or a non toxic finishing spray.

About the Contributor

Caitlin
McGrath lives in a small town in Western New York. When her face
isn't hidden behind her camera, she's usually crafting and daydreaming
for The Merrythought, where she is a part of the three lady team sharing DIY projects, recipes, fashion, home décor & and bits of daily life.

Hi,I love this idea so much! I've tried it a few times with less than desirable results. It seems like the nail polish is dissipating into a clear film. Should I just add more until I start to see color? Also, do you have any tips on exactly how to dip the cup in to the water in order to get those beautiful edges?This is so pretty ~ Thanks in advance!

I too want to know if you can microwave them? Nail polish is FLAMABLE! This maybe really pretty..BUT, how safe are they? 1-in the microwave..2-if color gets near top where you put your mouth etc...I'm not all that happy with using nail polish on something you heat up and drink from. :-(

Looks great. I just tried it however when I went to swirl the nail polish it just lumped together and formed a skin on top of the water - I was able to peel it off like you would a skim of milk - any suggestions?

Hi all! Some tips that I thought were worth mentioning (after many unsuccessful attempts!)-the size of the container youre dipping into counts: i found using a smaller, shallow-ish dish worked better. the polish spreads out if the dish is too large (and dries too fast) making it harder to create a design or "random" effect. The dipping dish should be small but large enough for you to dip your desired piece in.-double up on the colour: I liked the example in this blog of one color and sort of a minimalist effect. Double (triple or more) the drops of polish for a more intense effect/coloring. this also serves to keep the polish from drying on the top and forming a skin too soon.-work fast: again, the polish dries quick. if youre having a hard time, work faster.-drip close: dripping the polish too high up causes it to sink to the bottom in a ball. drip close to the surface and the polish should disperse beautifully.and last: (and what I was most grateful for!) if you decide you do not like the turn out, I found you can start again(ish). The polish seemed to wipe of fairly easy if done right away. on the flip side, if you happen to achieve the desired look,set aside to dry thoroughly so as to ensure the print stays. Good luck, folks!!:)

I've done marbling a bit and read everything I've been able to find about the technique. Everything I have read has said that nail polish is NOT food safe and if you use it to marble things, you should not eat/drink out of them afterwards!

Jocelyn - You can try using ModPodge dishwasher-safe gloss. You will want to avoid the inside of the mug and around the top where your mouth will be because, although it's non-toxic, it's not FDA approved food safe.

There are several ways to do this type of work and make it permenant; as in Making it part if the object itself. I've use acrylic & water colors both. When dry. By placing in warm oven 225/250F for 15-20 minutes, it is now as if it came from the factory like that. And by spraying a light coat of Non-Stick around the rim before dipping will ensure easy wipe off and safe for drinking. It seems to me this should work much like Easter Egg Dipping BUT possibly by spraying a lite coat to surface of water prior to adding colors may help also. We want the colors to remain afloat. And here's the best part;..I've alwaysmde sure to turn on hot water from kitchen sink immediately prior to turning dishwasher on. You do not have to use that Hot Hot Heater (saves lots on energy costs and saves marriages, ha).. Your partner can no longer takes the blame for melted plastic objects in bottom tray! These ideas will work on strong white plastic plates too, (just make sure you don't leave plastic in oven no longer than 15 mins on 200-225. You cannot mess this up; so much fun when kids can help. Hope we can get this 'down' cuz Holidays are coming 'up'! GiGi

Tried with acrylic bc of your suggestion and I ended up with colored water. What am I doing wrong? Also will the acrylic, when done properly, become one with the mug better than the nail polish? Can I even bake the mug used with polish? Trying to make some gifts and having NO luck!

I tried doing this with nail polish and it just wasn't working. It could be the type of nail polish-so I switched methods and grabbed ceramic paint. I worked a lot better with that! :)Eitherway-absolutely love how your mugs look!

Isn't that the truth! A lil panic goes a long way, ask @the local craft store what to use as a glaze over art piece & or keep art at lower end of mug. As would with any purchase, take the extra care & hand wash besides if it's a gift from the kiddos they want to you have it more than anything..use for s plant or occasional use when there about. Or, use a different piece of pottery..say, a lil dish for rings when doing dishes..?

I would use water based enamel. When your done just stick it in the oven for 350° for 30 minutes. This will make it dishwasher and microwave safe. I would keep the design towards the bottom of the mug.

if you're worried about the item being food safe, you can probably achieve a similar affect with oil paint instead. i know the sharpie oil paint markers are used to draw on mugs often, so why not drip some oil based paint into a container and dip your mug in that? haven't tried it myself, just thought of it.

This looks like a funny, easy and cheap way how to create a personal present. Actually, I've never used nail polish for something else than nails :-) I only have done couple of simple vintage furniture DYI so this is a challenge for me since I am little Ms. Gadget :-)Cheers,Natalia

I do this on my false nails then cover them with the gel and they look awesome. There is no way any of them look the same and I chose two or three colours to do it then use a toothpick to move the colours in a swirl then dip my finger in nail down and then scoop out. Its a great way to change your nail polish and doing the mug was fun too.

I love this tutorial so much that I included it on my DIY gift guide for this year! Here's the link if you want to check it out: http://www.thehannahgold.com/2015/12/a-broke-fabulous-holiday-season-diy.html

I did this on a small coffee mug at the bottom, looked great, but I wanted it be permanent, I bake the mug in the oven at 350 for 30 mins. Now it's there permanently and alot smoother! It feels as if it came that way, doesnt come off! If you want to see it, its on Instagram @paomugsrd

Hello everyone. Ive read all the comments but still have not come up w aclear answer. I did this project w my 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. I told them to use yhe mugs for small items or pencils. I was afraid of them getting sick from drinking from the mug. Anyone have any thoughts on that? Thank you! By the way- this was a hit w my students!

Hello everyone. Ive read all the comments but still have not come up w aclear answer. I did this project w my 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. I told them to use yhe mugs for small items or pencils. I was afraid of them getting sick from drinking from the mug. Anyone have any thoughts on that? Thank you! By the way- this was a hit w my students!

I literally just did this!! I used Dollar Tree nail polish on a DT mug. Baked in the oven for 25 minutes on 250 degrees. Let it cool in the oven. It feels as if it came marbled fromthe manufacturer! Let it cool completely and then personalized with my friends' name using vinyl on my Cricut!! Love this idea!!

You use nail polish just wanted to make sure before I put mine in the oven we made some with the kids yesterday but everywhere I've looked says it's not safe to drink from but if I bake them and it makes it permanent they should be able to use them for anything correct?

You use nail polish just wanted to make sure before I put mine in the oven we made some with the kids yesterday but everywhere I've looked says it's not safe to drink from but if I bake them and it makes it permanent they should be able to use them for anything correct?

Had to try a few different types of nail polish but did have success!!! Love the look of them. I then baked my mug in the hopes that the nail varnish becomes permanent and unfortunately the pale blue has turned green! Still looks appealing, just something to bear in mind. (The red colour has remained the same.)Thanks for the idea!